Most people tend to forget to train their balance. Because you are reading
this, you will be aware that it is something that everyone should work on
every day, and you may have started to challenge your balance already with
the toothbrush task. When you take every opportunity to work your balance,
you will soon notice just how quickly your balance and posture improves.Try standing on one leg whenever you are waiting in a queue - aim to keep
your hips level at all times. Take one foot about half an inch or a
centimetre off the ground. See how long you can balance for. It goes without
saying that you should repeat this exercise on the other leg, so that you
train your balance equally on both sides. (By the way, when you do this
while standing in a queue, most people won't even notice what you are doing!
As I said before, walking is the ultimate balancing act that people have to
do every day. What happens when you slow this down?
Starting with your feet in perfect posture (feet hip width apart, toes in 12
o'clock position) Take a step forwards. As you place your foot down, and
begin to take the other foot a little way off the floor, balance on the
first leg. Try to hold your balance for 5 - 10 seconds (or longer if you
can). Then return to the starting position and repeat on the other leg.
Repeat 10 - 12 times on each leg. You may find that you can easily step into
balance, while others may find that this is quite a challenge in itself.
What happens if you speed this up a bit more, and hop into balance? Do you
tend to wobble a bit more or can you still hold perfect balance instantly?
When you practise stepping or hopping into balance each and every day, you
will find that it soon gets easier. You could even try balancing with your
eyes shut - see if this makes a difference too.
By now you should be starting to get a bit more control of your body again,
and starting to improve the way you move.
Take a moment now to focus your mind.
Make yourself as comfortable as you can, whether sitting, lying or standing.
Allow your eyes to close, and as you do this, take your Mind's Eye to the
place you want to be.
What can you see?
What can you hear?
What can you smell?
How does this make you feel?
When you start to make the mind-body connection, you will notice that your
entire world begins to change.
Wendy Friston is a Personal Trainer & Vitality Consultant. Wendy's new book
series launches with 'How To Stop Back Pain Forever' and 'Better Eating For
Life'. For more information about Wendy's Books, Healthstore and Online
Personal Training, go to www.wendyfriston.com
Wendy has also created an online health club: www.vitalpowerclub.com Vital
Power Club launches in April 2009 and provides fitness programmes,
nutritional information, family activities and much more ...
